Merry Wives

Shakespeare is, of course, a wealth of opportunity for illustration. Walter Crane's style is a bit archaic, which is, of course, a perfect fit for Shakespeare. Images make the reading so much more palatable and entertaining, which is why I also read these kinds of books as a kid. 

Years later I helped produce an exhibit that lauded the notion that it is the picture that serves as a gateway for the young reader to enter a book and explore its treasures. And it is the illustrator that serves as gatekeeper, creating the pictures. The entrance text said, "The pictures in this show illustrate some of the great classics of literature. Enter through these gates with your children in the hope that interest in the pictures will create interest in the words..."

At least that's the way it worked for me...